Classifying – separating – and assorting solids – Precedent preparation of items or materials to facilitate... – Sorting special items or sorting by methods and apparatus...
Patent
1991-06-20
1993-03-16
Kashnikow, Andres
Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
Precedent preparation of items or materials to facilitate...
Sorting special items or sorting by methods and apparatus...
209552, 209589, 209698, 209932, 324 714, 414224, B07C 502
Patent
active
051936852
ABSTRACT:
An automated gemstone sorting apparatus and method that handles, tests, and sorts a batch of irradiated topaz, or similar gemstones, in an efficient manner in accordance with residual radiation levels. The sorting apparatus and methods of the invention include a system of three parallel conveyors, i.e., input, accept and reject conveyors, as well as a vibrator bowl for automatically loading the gemstones in an orderly fashion onto the input conveyor. A multiplicity of isolated testing chambers is located to the side of the conveyor systems, each having a radiation detector and appropriate radiation measuring apparatus. Each of the isolated testing chambers has a single robot station associated therewith for manipulating the gemstones into and out of its respective testing chamber. Each robot station includes a pneumatic "puffer", responsive to a sensing device for directing a puff of air at a specified point on the input conveyor belt when a gemstone is sensed at the specified point. The puff of air moves the gemstone off the input conveyor and into a receptacle on a probe arm. The probe arm delivers the gemstone to the isolated testing chamber and radiation detector and, after testing, delivers the gemstone to either the accept conveyor or the reject conveyor. A computer monitors and controls the sorting apparatus, and provides various data associated with the testing and sorting of the gemstone batch.
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Kashnikow Andres
Kaufman Joseph A.
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